Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Compton, CA
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Redding leads 15 of 22 categories
Compton
California
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$69,728 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
335⚠ High
Population
94,822 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$67,323
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,327
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Compton, CA
Pros
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 100°F
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 57°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $489,400
Violent crime (1271.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 115.5)
Higher rents — median is $1,464/mo
Redding, CA
Pros
49% less violent crime than Compton
Homes cost $146k less ($343,000 vs $489,400)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (5.9%)
More college-educated — 26.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $186/mo less ($1,278 vs $1,464)
Cons
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Compton
Median Income
$2,405
$69,728 vs $67,323/yr
Redding
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 102.8 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
Redding
Violent Crime
49% lower
647.8 vs 1271.7 per 100k
Redding
Median Home Value
$146k less
$343,000 vs $489,400
Redding
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.9% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
22.7°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 77.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Compton, CA | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 102.8⚠ High ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $489,400⚠ High | $343,000⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,464⚠ High | $1,278 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $69,728 ✓ Higher | $67,323 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.8 min⚠ High | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 3.3% | 6.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 261⚠ High | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 335⚠ High | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 150⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (77) | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.0:1 | 20.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 10.4% | 26.4% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 63.8% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Compton Unified | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 67.3°F ✓ Warmer | 57.2°F |
| Avg High — July | 77.2°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.8" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 94,822 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.4% ✓ Higher | 54.9% |
| Under 18 | 27.9% ✓ More | 22.5% |
| Over 65 | 10.4% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Compton's cost of living index is 115.5 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Redding is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Redding leads 15 of 22 categories. Compton wins 7 and Redding wins 15. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Compton to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($489,400 vs $343,000 median home), income ($69,728 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Compton, CA and Redding, CA are about 514 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.